
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
8. Internal power steering gear
noise.8. Replace power steering gear.
9. Damaged front suspension
crossmember.9. Replace front suspension
crossmember.
10. Stabilizer bar link ball joints
worn.10. Replace stabilizer bar link.
POPPING NOISE 1. Worn outer tie rod. 1. Replace outer tie rod.
CHIRP OR SQUEAL
(POWER STEERING
PUMP)1. Loose power steering pump drive
belt.1. Check and adjust power steering
pump drive belt to specifications or
replace automatic tensioner where
applicable. Replace belt if worn or
glazed.
WHINE, GROWL, MOAN
OR GROAN (POWER
STEERING PUMP)**1. Low fluid level. 1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
proper level and check for leaks (make
sure all air is bled from the system
fluid).
2. Power steering hose touching
vehicle body or frame.2. Adjust hose to proper position by
loosening, repositioning, and tightening
fitting to specified torque. Do not bend
tubing. Replace hose if damaged.
3. Extreme wear of power steering
pump internal components.3. Replace power steering pump and
flush system as necessary.
SUCKING AIR SOUND 1. Loose clamp on power steering
fluid return hose.1. Tighten or replace hose clamp.
2. Missing O-Ring on power steering
hose connection.2. Inspect connection and replace
O-Ring as required.
3. Low power steering fluid level. 3. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
proper level and check for leaks.
4. Air leak between power steering
fluid reservoir and power steering
pump.4. Replace power steering pump (with
reservoir).
SQUEAK OR RUBBING
SOUND1. Steering column shroud rubbing. 1. Realign shrouds as necessary.
2. Steering column shaft rubbing. 2. Move or realign item rubbing shaft.
3. Clockspring noisy. 3. Remove clockspring. Reinstall wheel.
If noise is gone, replace clockspring.
4. Steering gear internally noisy. 4. Replace steering gear.
SCRUBBING OR
KNOCKING NOISE.1. Incorrect tire or wheel size. 1. Replace incorrect size tire or wheel
with size used as original equipment.
2. Interference between steering
gear and other vehicle components.2. Check for bent or misaligned
components and correct as necessary.
3. Steering gear internal stops worn
excessively allowing tires to be
steered excessively far.3. Replace steering gear.
19 - 4 STEERINGRS
STEERING (Continued)
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NOTE: ** To evaluate this condition, it may be nec-
essary to disconnect the coupling at the base of the
steering column. Turn the steering wheel and feel or
listen for internal rubbing in steering column. To
avoid damaging the column clockspring, note the
following. Before disconnecting coupling, place
tires in the straight-ahead position and center steer-
ing wheel. Once disconnected, DO NOT rotatesteering wheel more than one revolution in either
direction and place steering wheel in original loca-
tion before reconnecting coupling. If this position is
lost, the steering column clockspring must be
recentered following the procedure found within the
procedure for steering column installation in the
steering column section.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
LOW FLUID LEVEL WITH
VISIBLE LEAK.1. Loose power steering hose
fittings.1. Tighten the fitting to its specified torque.
2. Damaged or missing fitting seal,
gasket, or O-ring.2. Replace as necessary.
3. Power steering pump or power
steering gear leaking.3. Repair or replace the leaking component
as required.
AERATED FLUID. 1. Low fluid level.* 1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
proper level.
2. Air leak between power steering
fluid reservoir and pump.2. Inspect for proper sealing. Replace the
power steering pump (with reservoir).
3. Cracked power steering pump
housing.3. Replace the power steering pump.
RESERVOIR FLUID
OVERFLOW AND FLUID
THAT IS MILKY IN COLOR1. Water contamination. 1. Drain the power steering fluid from the
system. Flush the system with fresh clean
power steering fluid, drain, then refill to the
proper level.
NOTE: * Extremely cold temperatures may cause
power steering fluid aeration if the power steering
fluid level is low.
19 - 8 STEERINGRS
STEERING (Continued)
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COLUMN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
COLUMN
DESCRIPTION...........................10
WARNING..............................10
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................12
STEERING COLUMN....................12
REMOVAL..............................12
INSTALLATION...........................13
SPECIFICATIONS........................14
KEY/LOCK CYLINDER
DESCRIPTION...........................14OPERATION.............................14
REMOVAL..............................14
INSTALLATION...........................14
GEAR SHIFT LEVER
REMOVAL..............................15
INSTALLATION...........................15
SHROUD
REMOVAL..............................16
INSTALLATION...........................16
COLUMN
DESCRIPTION - STEERING COLUMN
The steering column has been designed to be ser-
viced as a complete assembly (Fig. 1), except for the
components listed here. They are the key cylinder,
ignition switch, lock cylinder housing, multi-function
switch, clockspring, halo lamp, speed control
switches, driver airbag, trim shrouds, steering wheel
and steering column intermediate shaft. These
replaceable components of the steering column can be
serviced without requiring removal of the steering
column from the vehicle.
SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - WARN-
ING)
WARNING: BEFORE BEGINNING ANY SERVICE
PROCEDURES THAT INVOLVES REMOVING THE
AIR BAG. REMOVE AND ISOLATE THE NEGATIVE
(-) BATTERY CABLE (GROUND) FROM THE VEHI-
CLE BATTERY. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO
DISABLE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO
THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR BAG
DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
WARNING: THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE,
COMPLEX ELECTRO-MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE, REMOVE OR INSTALL
THE AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS YOU MUST
FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY
NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO
MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DIS-
CHARGE. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT INACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG AND
POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. THE FASTENERS,
SCREWS, AND BOLTS, ORIGINALLY USED FOR
THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS, HAVE SPECIAL
COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED
FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER
BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANYTIME
A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE WITH
THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE
SERVICE PACKAGE OR FASTENERS LISTED IN
THE PARTS BOOKS.Fig. 1 STEERING COLUMN
1 - STEERING COLUMN
2 - B.T.S.I.
3 - TURN SIGNAL LEVER
4 - KEY CYLINDER
5 - SHIFT LEVER
6 - MOUNTING HOLES
7 - COUPLING
19 - 10 COLUMNRS
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WARNING: SAFETY GOGGLES SHOULD BE WORN
AT ALL TIMES WHEN WORKING ON STEERING
COLUMNS.
CAUTION: Disconnect negative (ground) cable from
the battery before servicing any column compo-
nent.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the pivot pins
to disassemble the tilting mechanism. Damage will
occur.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
For diagnosis of conditions relating to the steering
column (Refer to 19 - STEERING - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING) and (Refer to 19 - STEERING - DIAGNO-
SIS AND TESTING).
REMOVAL
To service the steering wheel components or the
airbag (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL). Follow all WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS.
(1) Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are
in the STRAIGHT AHEAD position before beginning
the column removal procedure.
(2) Disconnect negative (ground) cable from the
battery and isolate cable from battery terminal.
(3) Remove the lower shroud (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/LOWER SHROUD - REMOV-
AL).
(4) Remove the traction off switch.
(5) Remove the upper shroud.
(6) Remove the cluster trim bezel (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER BEZEL -
REMOVAL).(7) Remove the knee blocker (Refer to 23 - BODY/
INSTRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN
OPENING COVER - REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the parking brake handle link.
(9) Remove the knee blocker reinforcement (Refer
to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/KNEE
BLOCKER - REMOVAL).
(10) Remove the airbag (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
(11) Remove the steering wheel retaining nut.
(12) Remove the vibration damper weight.
(13) Remove the steering wheel (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL -
REMOVAL). (Fig. 3)
(14) Disconnect the wiring harness connectors
from the clockspring, multi-function switch, halo
lamp, SKIM module, ignition switch and BTSI sole-
noid.
(15) Disconnect the shift cable at the lever. (Fig. 4)
1 - CLOCKSPRING WIRING
2 - STEERING WHEEL
3 - UPPER SHROUD
4 - FIXED SHROUD
5 - SCREW
6 - STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING PLATE
7 - NUT
8 - DASH PANEL STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING BRACKET
9 - STUDS 4
10 - STEERING COLUMN LOCKING PIN
11 - NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY
12 - STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
13 - LOWER SHROUD
14 - SCREWS
15 - STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT16 - STEERING WHEEL DAMPER
17 - CLOCKSPRING
18 - SCREW
19 - MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH MOUNTING/HOUSING
20 - PINCH BOLT
21 - STEERING COLUMN COUPLER
22 - PINCH BOLT RETAINING PIN
23 - DASH PANEL
24 - SILENCER SHELL
25 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SHIELD AND SEAL
26 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
27 - ROLL PIN
28 - STEERING GEAR
29 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE
Fig. 3 STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL
1 - STEERING WHEEL
2 - PULLER
19 - 12 COLUMNRS
COLUMN (Continued)
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(16) Remove the pinch side clip, then remove the
cable from the bracket on the column.
(17) Remove the pinch bolt coupling. (Fig. 5)
(18) Loosen the two lower mounting nuts.
(19) Remove the two upper mounting nuts
(20) Remove the steering column.
(21) Remove the clockspring (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOV-
AL). (Fig. 6)
(22) Remove the mounting plate with the multi-
function switch.
(23) Remove the halo-lamp.
(24) Remove the ignition key cylinder (Refer to 19
- STEERING/COLUMN/KEY/LOCK CYLINDER -
REMOVAL).(25) Remove the BTSI.
INSTALLATION
To service the steering wheel components or the
airbag (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL). Follow all WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS.
(1) Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are
still in the STRAIGHT AHEAD position before begin-
ning the column installation procedure.
(2) Install the BTSI.
(3) Install the ignition key cylinder (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/KEY/LOCK CYLINDER -
INSTALLATION).
(4) Install the halo-lamp.
(5) Install the mounting plate with the multi-func-
tion switch.
(6) Install the clockspring (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - INSTALLA-
TION).
(7) Install the steering column to the vehicle.
(8) Install the two upper mounting nuts
(9) Tighten the two lower mounting nuts and the
two upper mounting nuts. Tighten to 12 N´m (105 in.
lbs.).
(10) Install the coupling onto the intermediate
shaft and install the pinch bolt. Tighten the pinch
bolt to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
(11) Install the cable from the bracket on the col-
umn, then install the pinch side clips.
(12) Reconnect the shift cable at the lever.
(13) Reconnect the wiring harness connectors to
the clockspring, multi-function switch, halo lamp,
SKIM module, ignition switch and BTSI solenoid.
(14) Install the steering wheel (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL -
INSTALLATION).
(15) Install the vibration damper weight.
Fig. 4 SHIFT CABLE MOUNTING
1 - SHIFT CABLE MOUNT
2 - SHIFT LEVER
Fig. 5 PINCH BOLT
1 - PINCH BOLT
2 - STEERING COLUMN
Fig. 6 CLOCKSPRING
RSCOLUMN19-13
COLUMN (Continued)
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SHROUD
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the three screws from the lower
shroud.
(2) Unsnap and remove the lower shroud.
(3) Lift off upper shroud from the steering column.
(Fig. 11)
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the upper shroud in place over the
steering column.
(2) Snap the lower shroud to the upper shroud.
(3) Install and tighten the three retaining screws.
Tighten the screws to 11 N´m (100 in. lbs.). (Fig. 11)
Fig. 11 UPPER AND LOWER SHROUDS
1 - FIXED SHROUD
2 - UPPER SHROUD
3 - CLOCKSPRING
4 - LOWER SHROUD
5 - STEERING COLUMN
19 - 16 COLUMNRS
ProCarManuals.com

ing gear. This travel pushes and pulls the tie rods to
change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.
Power assist steering provided by the power steer-
ing pump is controlled by an open center, rotary type
control valve which directs oil from the pump to
either side of the integral rack piston upon demand.
Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion
bar which initially steers the vehicle. As required
steering effort increases, as in a turn, the torsion bar
twists, causing relative rotary motion between the
rotary valve body and the valve spool. This move-
ment directs oil behind the integral rack piston
which, in turn, builds up hydraulic pressure and
assists in the turning effort.
Manual steering control of the vehicle can be main-
tained if power steering assist is lost. However,
under this condition, steering effort is significantly
increased.
SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE
PARTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE
EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.
DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO
TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.
WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
WITH THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY FROM MOVING PARTS.
CAUTION: When the system is open, cap all open
ends of the hoses, power steering pump fittings or
power steering gear ports to prevent entry of for-
eign material into the components.
REMOVAL - GEAR
CAUTION: Positioning the steering column in the
locked position will prevent the clockspring from
being accidentally over-extended when the steering
column is disconnected from the intermediate
steering coupler.
(1) Remove cap from power steering fluid reser-
voir.
(2) Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as
possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.
(3) With the ignition key in the locked position
turn the steering wheel to the left until the steering
wheel is in the locked position.
(4) With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the
steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear
intermediate coupler (Fig. 2).(5) Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubri-
cation and Maintenance section of this service man-
ual, for the required lifting procedure to be used for
this vehicle.
(6) Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
(7) Remove hoses at power steering cooler and
allow fluid to drain.
(8) On both sides of vehicle, remove nut attaching
outer tie rod end to steering knuckle (Fig. 3).
Remove nut by holding tie rod end stud with a
socket while loosening and removing nut with
wrench.
(9) Remove both tie rod ends from steering knuck-
les, using Puller, Special Tool C-3894±A (Fig. 4).
(10) Remove the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts located on each side of each lower con-
trol arm rear bushing.
NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember
reinforcement are of two different thread sizes. Note
the location of the various sizes.
(11) Remove the bolts attaching the cradle cross-
member reinforcement to the front suspension cradle
crossmember (Fig. 5). Remove the 2 bolts fastening
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
the body of the vehicle. Remove the reinforcement.
(12) If the vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel-
Drive, remove the power transfer unit (Refer to 21 -
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/POWER TRANSFER
UNIT - REMOVAL).
Fig. 2 Steering Column Shaft To Intermediate Shaft
Attachment
1 - STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLER
2 - NUT
3 - SAFETY PIN
4 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
5 - PINCH BOLT
19 - 18 GEARRS
GEAR (Continued)
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STEERING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
GEAR..................................1PUMP..................................6
GEAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
GEAR
REMOVAL...............................1INSTALLATION............................4
GEAR
REMOVAL - RHD GEAR
CAUTION: Positioning the steering column in the
locked position will prevent the clockspring from
being accidentally over-extended when the steering
column is disconnected from the intermediate
steering coupler.
(1) Remove cap from power steering fluid reser-
voir.
(2) Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as
possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.
(3) With the ignition key in the locked position
turn the steering wheel to the left until the steering
wheel is in the locked position.
(4) With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the
steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear
intermediate coupler (Fig. 1).
(5) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(6) Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
(7) If equipped, remove hoses at power steering
cooler and allow fluid to drain.
(8) On both sides of vehicle, remove nut attaching
outer tie rod end to steering knuckle (Fig. 2).
Remove nut by holding tie rod end stud with a
socket while loosening and removing nut with
wrench.
(9) Remove both tie rod ends from steering knuck-
les using Puller, Special Tool C-3894±A (Fig. 3).(10) Remove the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts located on each side of each lower con-
trol arm rear bushing.
NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember
reinforcement are of two different thread sizes. Note
the location of the various sizes.
Fig. 1 Steering Column Shaft To Intermediate Shaft
Attachment
1 - STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLER
2 - NUT
3 - SAFETY PIN
4 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
5 - PINCH BOLT
RGSTEERING19a-1
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